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Temporal Dynamics and Dual Modes in Constructing Leading Organizational Identity: A Comparative Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 December 2025

Xiangtong Liu ,
Haifen Lin  and
Da Huo
Xiangtong Liu
Affiliation:
Dalian University of Technology, China
Haifen Lin*
Affiliation:
Dalian University of Technology, China
Da Huo
Affiliation:
Dalian University, China
*
Corresponding author: Haifen Lin; Email: linhaifen@dlut.edu.cn
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Abstract

As emerging markets rise, some incumbent firms that once occupied follower positions are now striving for industry leadership, surpassing competitors to become new frontrunners. These firms must overcome both competitive barriers and organizational identity (OI) challenges, constructing a leading organizational identity (LOI) that aligns with their new roles. This study delves into these transformations through the temporality lens of OI, using a comparative analysis of two Chinese firms, and identifies two distinct modes: progressive evolution and radical change. The progressive evolution mode adopts a more gradual, layer-by-layer iterative transition, whereas the radical change mode follows a ‘break and (re)build’ logic to identity structure. Both modes demonstrate a ripple effect of OI’s three structural layers, radiating outward from the core. Temporal dynamics play a pivotal role: the progressive evolution mode aligns with a more stable environment and a future-oriented, long-term temporal perspective, while the radical change mode is linked to a dynamic, unstable environment and a past-oriented, short- and long- term interactive temporal pattern. This study highlights how temporal orientation and temporal horizon shape the construction of an LOI, advancing research on OI construction and its temporal dynamics while providing insights into high-position leaps in emerging markets.

摘要

摘要

随着新兴市场快速崛起, 部分处在跟随状态的在位企业开始向高位引领跃迁并成功超越成为新的行业引领者。在此过程中这类企业不仅需要打破资源壁垒等竞争藩篱, 还需要跨越组织身份层面的跃迁屏障, 构建起与高位引领结果相匹配的引领型组织身份。为深入理解这一身份转变过程, 我们以组织身份的固有属性时序性为研究视角, 选取新兴市场的典型代表, 两家中国企业为研究样本开展双案例研究。我们首先识别并界定了激进式变革及渐进式演进两种构建模式。更进一步地, 我们发现, 激进式变革模式遵循身份结构共演的破而后立式逻辑, 渐进式演进模式则呈现出身份结构逐层铺开的迭代跃迁逻辑, 两者均体现出组织身份三层结构具有自内向外的辐射涟漪效应。不同模式呈现出的不同逻辑受到时序规律的密切影响。激进式变革模式与更快速和非结构性的外部环境相联系。这种模式以过去时序取向为主, 并呈现出长期与短期时间视野相交融的时序特点。渐进式演进模式与连续且平稳变化的外部环境相联系并呈现出围绕长期时间视野和未来取向的时序特点。我们进一步揭示了时间取向和时间视野影响引领型组织身份构建的不同方式。基于此, 我们对组织身份及时序相关研究做出了理论贡献并指导相应企业实践。

Keywords

dual-case comparative studyindustry-leading firmsleading organizational identityorganizational identity constructiontemporal perspective行业引领型企业引领型组织身份组织身份构建时序视角双案例对比研究

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Management and Organization Review , First View , pp. 1 - 44
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of International Association for Chinese Management Research.

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